The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-15
Sixteen Thousand People Who Have but One
Policeman, and lie Does Duty in Daytime,
While Thieves Work Their Will at Night.
Depredations Become So Numerous that
Citizens Organize for Protection.
Some New Clews in the Panhandle Robberies
Which Are Expected to Lead to the Arrest
Of Persons Not Hitherto Suspected.
A REIGN OF TERROR.

jamestown, n. Y, Completely Overrun by
Gamblers and Thieves of All Sorts.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal
JAMESTOWN. N. Y, April H.-Nearly a year
ago the village of jamestown became an incor-
porated city. Since that time there has been
code of local laws or city ordinances, owing to
the non procurement of a city charter, the prep
aration of which has been delayed again and
again. To-day the city of jamestown has a
population of 10000 people, but the place is in
The same condition in regard to local laws and
ordinances hamlets and villages of few hun
dred inhabitants. There is but one policeman
to guard the town in the daytime, and at night
no policemen watch over the lives of 16. 900 peo
pie and protect millions of dollars worth of
property. When this state Of affair became
known to the gamblers and thieves OF other cit
les they began focking here in large numbers.
During the past few months a dozen gambling
rooms have been in operation, and fifty sporting
women and several hundred gamblers. thieves
and blacklegs have congregated here. Two
weeks ago series of burglaries began, which
have continued nightly. Last Saturday morn
ing merchant A. r. Catlin shot and instantly
killed Chester W. Green one of large gang of
burglars Green caught in the act of enter
ing Catlin's house. This act of justfable homi-
eide did not seem to have the desired effect upon
the burglars and thieves, as robberies and
burglaries have occurred nightly since the kill
ing of Green. The two night policemen have
been powerless, and the entire city has been and
is virtually at the mercy Of an organized band
of thieves Last night twenty citi-
zens met and volunteered their services
as q special patrol Notwithstanding these
precautions, a citizen was attacked by high
waymen at Q o'clock last evening and knocked
down; the thieves were frightened away by his
cries. Four houses were entered last night
and this morning, between l and 2 o'clock,
burglars entered the house of Mr. Brockway,
who lives at No AZ Hazard street The thieves
tried to gain admittance through kitchen
door, using jimmy and chisel. Failing in
this attempt they pried up the bottom of a
front window. but did not gain admittance
They then tried the front door and succeeded in
boring hole through the wood and turning thss
key with nipper. Mr.. Brockway slept down
stairs He heard a lamp shade fall from tho
sitting room table, and leaped to his feet As
he reached the door of the stting-room the
burglars seized him around the waist, and a
desperate struggle ensued. Mr.. Brockways
night shirt torn into shreds and he
was hurled against the bedroom door.
Brockway says the burglar threw him against
the bedroom door second time. and the last
time sent spray Of chloroform into his face.
The burglars then took to their heels out of the
front door, which was standing open. Brock
| ways pantaloous were found on the floor, with
| the pockets turned inside out.
The town is so thoroughly frightened that
many women and children have not gone to bed
for many nights. There is perfect reign OF
terror throughout the town. Every citizen goes
armed, and one can scarcely buy revolver in
town. Tonight the Eagle hose company volun
teered their services as special patrol, and q
vigilance committee is being formed. The
thieves are becoming so bold that they openly
tell the solitary day policeman of intended raids
at night. More burglaries expected tonight
and it is more than probable that the thieve.
will be shot on sight if caught il
the act Of breaking into houses. Not il
years has there been much excitement
here. A tour of the hardware and gun stores
made tonight, reveals the fact that the stock OF
| locks, and bolts and guns, and revolvers in tht
city is exhausted Dealers have sent to Buffalo
for additional supplies. One business man. wht
purchased revolver to-day, remarked that thi
was the first revolver that he had ever bought il
his life. The deputy sheriffs in charge of tn,
citizens patrol are inclined to think that tn
burglaries are being committed by fne-haire
gang distributed in groups, and stopping at tn,
six principal hotels. One noted new York THE
ard four pals are at a fashionable boarding
house, and four wel-known Buffalo thieves are
at another. AT special session OF the City
Council. tonight, 800 reward was offered TO
every burglar captured. This offer is made t
any citizen, whether on patrol duty or not.